Basement Waterproofing

Basement waterproofing is the first step to transforming a damp or leaking space below ground into a functional room that will add value to your property.

Our basement waterproofing guide will outline the three main types of waterproofing systems and products used to solve damp basements and create the perfect environment for your needs, including basement tanking and tanking membrane and drainage systems.

Our team provide specialist advice and guidance to help keep any domestic or commercial basement dry and free from water ingress or flooding. Contact our team by filling in the contact form below and we will get back to you.

Given that basements are susceptible to a lot of hydrostatic pressure from water built up in the surrounding ground and earth, it is no surprise that this pressure can lead to cracks, leakage, and damp problems. Applying the correct waterproofing solution will stop this water from getting into your basement.

To create a livable space beneath your home we offer three main solutions. Cementitious tanking which forms an impenetrable barrier to moisture ingress, installing damp proofing solutions during the construction of the building, or a Cavity drain membrane solution that channels water away from your property using a combination of membranes, drainage channels and pumps. We can combine systems if that creates the best solution.

Those in the industry tend to discuss three different systems, type A, B, and C.

We will outline each of the different systems below, but it is important to know that a combination of the three may be used and that the specific solution used to best fit your basement or cellar will be determined after a thorough site inspection visit by one of our qualified surveyors.

This is where a physical barrier is applied to the basement or cellar walls to prevent water ingress.

Type A waterproofing is commonly referred to as ‘Tanking’ and typically involves the application of damp proof membranes or waterproof cement or ‘slurry’ to walls below ground level.

Type A External Waterproofing: In new constructions, the tanking barrier membrane or slurry is applied to the external wall of the structure to prevent ingress from groundwater

Internal Type A System: post-construction or during the refurbishment of a building, type A waterproofing can be installed on the internal basement walls.

This refers to waterproofing solutions that are installed during the construction process, and as such are integrated into the structure of the building. Generally, Type B waterproofing involves a reinforced concrete build, alongside a water control mechanism to prevent ingress at construction joints (such as a hydrophilic waterbar).

Naturally, our waterproofing specialists would have to be involved from the design stage of the project for a Type B system to be installed in your property.

This is the most modern method to waterproof a basement or cellar. It consists of a mixture of structural waterproofing membrane, basement floor drainage and a sump pump to remove any water securely and efficiently.

Cavity Drain Membranes utilise a studded membrane to line the walls and floors to provide a dry internal surface.

• The walls can then be dry lined or plastered, and the floors can be screeded or overlaid with material like waterproof floorboards or tongue and groove flooring.
• Sealed systems are used in conjunction with a cavity drain system or sump pump where there is active water or flooding.
• Ventilated systems are used where there is no visible water and in situations where conventional damp proofing methods are inappropriate.

Both of these systems can be designed to comply with BS8102, which is the code of practice relating to waterproofing underground structures.